Adidas regrets ref swap for LaVar: 'It was the wrong decision'

Adidas acknowledged it made a mistake.

LaVar Ball berated a female official Friday after she gave him a technical foul, and threatened to pull his son LaMelo and the Big Baller Brand AAU team from an Adidas Summer Championships game.

Adidas responded by switching out the referee for a male counterpart, reportedly in a bid to keep LaVar in the building and to increase the company's chances of signing his son Lonzo, of the Los Angeles Lakers, to a sneaker deal.

The footwear and apparel giant provided the following statement Monday to USA TODAY Sports' Nina Mandell:

The referee substitutions made during our tournament last week are not in line with our company values. It was the wrong decision. We regret the situation and are looking into the matter to make sure our standards for sportsmanship, equality and fair play are met in the future.

Supporting all athletes is critical to who we are. We believe in the power of sport to create positivity and bring people together. Importantly, any representation that we would compromise our values and inclusive approach for the benefit of any individual is inaccurate.

The substitution and rumored reason behind it have been denounced by many, including NBA referees and the company that provided the officials, Court Club Elite, which ended its five-year relationship with Adidas over the kerfuffle.

Following the ref change, LaVar picked up another tech and caused his team to forfeit the contest. He was highly critical of the female official, telling reporters she's out of shape and needs to "stay in her lane."